FOUND DEAD

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 357, 19 October 1932, Page 5

FOUND DEAD

(Press. Assn.

MR. G. C. BLACK M.P. BODY FOUND LYING ON BEACH AT MAKARA DOMINION'S YOUNGEST M.P.

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

Wellington, Tuesday. At midday yesterday Mr. G. O. C. Black, M.P. for Motueka,, hired a'taxi and was driyen out to~Makara Beach, seven miles from Wellington. He dismissed the taxi there, saying that he would ring for one later on when he wanted to come back. At 7.25 last eyening the police received a message from Mr. Harwood, of Makara, to ihe effect that th'e body of a man was lying on the heach above high-water mark. Detective Hall and Constables Spencer and Pointon went out and found that it was the hody of Mr. Black. The hody was brougbt into the Wellington morgue. It was stated that it had not been in the water. „ A phail containing poison was found near the body. An inquest will be held on a date to he fixed. As a mark of respect to the memory of the late Mr. Black th'e House of Representatives adjourned at 2.30 p.m. until 7.3,0 p.m. Mr G. C. G. Black first entered the House of Representatives in 1928 at the age of 23 years as a snpporter of Sir Joseph Ward's United Party, defeating the sitting memher, Mr. 'R. P. Hudson, who had retained the seat preyiousiy for many years. Mr. Black became noted early in his career in the House as a vigorous dehater and a member of independent views. It was early in his term that the Murchison earthquake occurred which affected much -of the distriet which comprises his electorate. During tjhis time of stress for many settlers in the Murchison and Karamea areas, he di,d yeoman service in organising relief and visiting the stricken areas. In the first term of the United Government he was elected Junior Whip, hut owing to a disagreement in the party he refused to retain the position during th'e second session, and then gave evidence of a stronger leaning toward independent views. After the death of Sir Joseph Ward, he offieially severed his connection with the United Party and took his seat in the Independent benehes. He contested the seat again at the last election and was opposed hy a Coalition candidate, Mr. K. J. Holyoake, whom he d'efeated hy a comfortahle majority. Some two years ago, he married Miss K. McTaggart, of Motueka. For some time past, he h'as been in indifferent health, hut was able to take his seat in the House fof the present session. A pleasant and alert personality, Mr. Black had the distinction of being the youngest member of the House and an untimely death has cut short a promising career. He was 28 years of age at the time of his death.